Airline seat and airline seatbelt system

ABSTRACT

An airline seatbelt arrangement (10) includes an airline seat frame (5) with a seat base (3) connected to the airline seat frame (5). The seat base has a cushion upper surface (30). A seatbelt retractor (11) is connected to the seat frame (5). A seatbelt retractor (11) has a seatbelt (20) with a seatbelt tongue (12) connected to the seatbelt (20). A seatbelt guide (36, 36′, 36″, 35, 35′, 35″) is connected to the seat base. The seatbelt guide guides the seatbelt and seatbelt tongue from a retracted position to a deployed position within an angular range relative to the seatbelt connection location, whereby the seatbelt and seatbelt tongue may be positioned in the angular range relative to the cushion upper surface in the deployed position. The seatbelt guide may include a recess formed in the seat base and extending from a seatbelt retractor location to the cushion upper surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and more particularlyrelates to an airline seat that can move between a taxi and takeoff andlanding (TTL) position and a lie flat position as well as to a seatbeltarrangement for such an airline seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Airline seats are known which move between a TTL position and a lie flatposition. In between these two extreme positions there are variouspositions with the backrest reclined to some extent, inclined to variousdegrees relative to the seat base (cushion) and with the leg rest(ottoman) raised various degrees relative to the seat base. Althoughthis large degree of movement of the airline seat is very desirable, itis somewhat problematic to match this large degree of movement to a safeand comfortable use of the seatbelt by the airline passenger. Further,known seatbelt arrangements for airline seats may have the problem thatthe seatbelt lies in an awkward position during non use, potentiallyblocking the user from sitting down. However, known seatbeltarrangements also may have the problem that one of the belt portion withthe tongue and the portion with the buckle becomes lodged or wedged inthe vehicle seat, such as between the backrest and the seat base, orfalls between or to the side of the seat such that it is difficult tograsp or even find the belt portion.

DE 10 243 633 A1 discloses a vehicle seat that includes a functionelement mounted in a recess of the upholstered backrest cushion andcovered by a padded filler which is attached to the backrest by anarticulated joint. This allows it to be folded into a space between thebackrest and the seat base. The function element is a stirrup-shapedfixing element such as used for detachably fixing child seats. The seatfeatures allow the fixing element to be kept out of the way from activeportions of the backrest. However, the arrangement appears toparticularly not be useful for seatbelt features. Instead, the fixingelement provides an anchor or connection which, due to its connection ofthe backrest, is useful for only small forces, such as forces associatedwith child seats.

DE 31 47 045 A1 discloses a multi-seat arrangement which can preferablybe used for vehicles, and in particular for buses, in the latter case asa double-seat arrangement. The multi-seat arrangement has at least twoindividual seats, namely a window seat and an aisle seat. It also has aseat support frame which supports the seats and rests on a window-sidebracket of the bus and is supported on the vehicle floor by a leg on theaisle side. The aisle-side seat can be displaced transversely withrespect to the seat direction. For this, a seat rail and a lower railare provided below seat carrying frames. The seat frames have seat railsthat connect together two side backrest carrier legs of a seat. A beltbuckle or a retractor for a lap belt is arranged in a transition area ofthe side backrest carrier legs. The belt forces are thereby directlyintroduced into the seat rail and the lower rail. The arrangement isadvantageous with regard to allowing the transverse displacement of aseat while also providing a force connection for the belt buckle orretractor. However, the arrangement does not provide practical oradvantageous features for airline seats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an airline seat and anairline seatbelt arrangement which reduces the potential of inadvertentor accidental use of the seatbelt while providing a comfortable use ofthe seatbelt over a range of airline seat positions. It is particularlyan object of the invention to provide an airline seatbelt system whichallows a variation of angular position of the seatbelt tongue end andthe buckle end to safely restrain a user in airline seat positions thatcan vary between a TTL position and a lie flat position. It is furtheran object of the invention to provide an airline seat and an airlineseatbelt arrangement which conveniently positions the seatbelt buckleand tongue for use without these features being in the way when the useris seated in the seat or leaves the seat.

According to the invention, an airline seatbelt arrangement is providedcomprising an airline seat frame and a seat base connected to theairline seat frame. The seat base has a cushion upper surface. Aseatbelt retractor is provided with a seatbelt. The seatbelt retractoris connected to the airline seat frame at a seatbelt connectionlocation. A seatbelt tongue is connected to the seatbelt. A seatbeltguide is connected to the seat base, the seatbelt guide providing aguideway for guiding the seatbelt and seatbelt tongue from a retractedposition to a deployed position within an angular range relative to theseatbelt connection location. The seatbelt and seatbelt tongue may bepositioned in the angular range relative to the cushion upper surface inthe deployed position.

The seatbelt guide may advantageously comprise a recess formed in theseat base and extending from a seatbelt retractor location to thecushion upper surface. The seatbelt retractor may be pivotably mountedto the seat frame and may be disposed in the recess formed in the seatbase. The seatbelt guide may further comprise a guide cover forming aportion of the cushion upper surface. The guide cover may include anupper cover portion forming the portion of the cushion upper surface anda side cover portion. The upper cover portion may include an elongateslot allowing the seatbelt to be moved, within the angular range,forward and rearward, within the elongate slot, relative to the seatbase. The elongate slot may be sized relative to the tongue or relativeto a belt to tongue connection region such that the tongue or at least aportion of the tongue is maintained so as to be graspable by a user ofthe seatbelt. The relative dimensions avoid the possibility of thetongue moving downwardly into the in the recess formed in the seat base.

With one embodiment the seatbelt guide comprises a guide cover forming aportion of the cushion upper surface, wherein the guide cover includes aflip up top that is pivotably connected to the seat base to pivotbetween an open position providing access to the seatbelt and theseatbelt tongue and a closed position closing off access to the seatbeltand seatbelt tongue. The flip up top has an upper surface that forms acontinuation of the cushion upper surface. The flip up top of the guidecover may include a belt pass through slot. This allows the belt toextend through the flip up top with the flip up top closed. The guidecover may also include an upper cover portion that is below and iscovered by the flip up top. The upper cover portion may include anelongate slot allowing the seatbelt to be moved, within the angularrange, forward and rearward, within the elongate slot, relative to theseat base. The elongate slot may be sized relative to the tongue orrelative to a belt to tongue connection region (at which the belt maypass though an opening of the tongue element and wrap back over aportion of the tongue element to join the belt and the tongue element)such that the tongue or at least a portion of the tongue is maintainedabove the upper cover portion so as to be graspable by a user of theseatbelt, when the flip up top is open. The relative dimensions avoidthe possibility of the tongue moving downwardly into the in the recessformed in the seat base.

The recess advantageously has an angled forward wall forming a retractorforward pivot stop and the recess has a rear wall forming a retractorrear pivot stop. The retractor forward pivot stop and the retractor rearpivot stop set the angular range. The retractor may be pivotable betweenthe retractor forward pivot stop and the retractor rear pivot stop.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the seatbelt retractoris located below the seat base. The recess extends through the seat basefrom below the seat base to the cushion upper surface. The recess mayhave an elongate slot with a forward edge forming a belt forward stopand the recess may have rear edge forming a belt rear stop. The seatbeltmay be moved, within the angular range, forward and rearward, within theelongate slot, relative to the seat base.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the seatbelt retractoris located below the seat base. The seatbelt guide comprises side seatcushion straps forming a belt passageway recess. The seatbelt guide isprovided at a lateral side of the seat base. At an upper edge of theseatbelt guide, the seatbelt guide forms an elongate slot with a forwardedge forming a belt forward stop and a rear edge forming a belt rearstop. The seatbelt may be moved, within the angular range, forward andrearward, within the elongate slot, relative to the seat base.

The seatbelt arrangement further comprises a buckle and a buckleconnecting strap connecting the buckle to the airline seat frame. Thebuckle and buckle strap are pivotably mounted to the seat frame. Theseat base includes a buckle guide recess receiving the buckle and/or thebuckle strap.

The buckle guide recess has a forward and rear wall that are dimensionedsuch that the buckle connecting strap are pivotable to move within thebuckle guide recess forward and rearward relative to the seat base. Thebuckle guide recess forward and rear wall form stops that allow thebuckle and the buckle connecting strap to pivot within the angularrange. In particular, the buckle guide recess has a forward wall forminga buckle or buckle connecting strap forward pivot stop and the buckleguide recess has a rear wall forming a buckle or buckle connecting straprear pivot stop. The buckle or buckle connecting strap is pivotablebetween the buckle forward pivot stop and the buckle rear pivot stop.

The buckle guide recess may be formed as with a sliding strap connectedto a lateral side of the seat base. The buckle connecting strap extendsthrough a region between the seat base and the sliding strap. The buckleconnecting strap is guided by the sliding strap for movement of thebuckle, forwardly and rearwardly, relative to the seat base within theangular range.

The buckle guide recess may be formed as through recess. In this casethe seat base includes and defines the through recess. The throughrecess passes through the seat base.

The connecting strap extends through the through recess from aconnection location with the seat frame to a buckle location above thecushion upper surface. The buckle connecting strap extends through theseat base from below the seat base to the cushion upper surface. Therecess may have an elongate slot with a forward edge forming a buckleconnecting strap forward stop and the recess may have rear edge forminga buckle connecting strap rear stop. The connection location provides apivot connection. The buckle connecting strap may move forwards andrearwards within the recess, within the angular range, within theelongate slot, relative to the seat base.

The seatbelt guide may provide a guideway for guiding the seatbelt froma retracted position to a deployed position and for maintaining anddefining an angular position of the seatbelt and seatbelt tonguerelative to the cushion upper surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, an airline seat isprovided comprising an airline seat frame, a seat backrest connected tothe seat frame and a seat base connected to the airline seat frame. Theseat base has a cushion upper surface and a seat base forward edge. Aseatbelt retractor, with a seatbelt, is connected to the airline seatframe at a seatbelt connection location. A seatbelt tongue is connectedto the seatbelt. A seatbelt guide is connected to the seat base andprovides a guideway. The seatbelt guide guides the seatbelt and seatbelttongue from a retracted position to a deployed position, within anangular range relative to the seatbelt connection location. The seatbeltand seatbelt tongue may be positioned in the angular range relative tothe cushion upper surface in the deployed position.

The airline seat further comprises a buckle and a buckle connectingstrap. The connecting strap connects the buckle to the airline seatframe. The buckle is pivotably mounted to the seat frame. A buckle guiderecess receives the buckle and/or the buckle strap. The seatbelt guidecomprises a recess formed in the seat base and extending from a seatbeltretractor location to the cushion upper surface.

The airline seat according to the invention may further comprise anadjustment frame/mechanism for adjusting a position of the airline seatframe to move the seat backrest relative to the seat base between ataxi, takeoff and landing position and a lie flat position. The seatbeltguide guides a position of the seatbelt between a seatbelt lie flatposition, with the seatbelt extending from the seatbelt guideessentially parallel to a seat base forward edge and a seatbelt taxi,takeoff and landing position with the seatbelt extending from theseatbelt guide toward the seat base forward edge. On an opposite side,the buckle guide recess guides a position of the buckle between a bucklelie flat position, with the buckle extending from the buckle guiderecess essentially parallel to a seat base forward edge and a buckletaxi, takeoff and landing position with the buckle extending from thebuckle guide recess toward the seat base forward edge.

As with the seatbelt assembly (system), the airline seat may have theseatbelt retractor pivotably mounted to the seat frame and is disposedin the recess formed in the seat base. The recess has a forward wallforming a retractor forward pivot stop and the recess has a rear wallforming a retractor rear pivot stop. The retractor forward pivot stopand the retractor rear pivot stop set an angular range corresponding tothe seatbelt lie flat position and the seatbelt taxi, takeoff andlanding position as the extremes. The retractor is pivotable between theretractor forward pivot stop and the retractor rear pivot stop. Thebuckle guide recess has a forward wall forming a buckle or buckleconnecting strap forward pivot stop and the buckle guide recess has arear wall forming a buckle or buckle connecting strap rear pivot stop.The a buckle or buckle connecting strap is pivotable between the abuckle or buckle connecting strap forward pivot stop and the a buckle orbuckle connecting strap rear pivot stop. The stops set an angular rangecorresponding to the buckle lie flat position and the buckle taxi,takeoff and landing position as the extremes of the angular range.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view showing an airline seat in the TTL position witha seatbelt system according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view showing the airline seat of FIG. 1A in a neutralposition;

FIG. 1C is a side view showing the airline seat of FIG. 1A in the lieflat position;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the airline seat showing a seatbeltbuckle angle for the TTL position;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the airline seat showing a seatbeltbuckle angle for the neutral position;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the airline seat showing a seatbeltbuckle angle for the lie flat position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat base showing the tongue side of theseatbelt system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the airline seat showing the tongue sideof the seatbelt system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the seat base showing the buckle side of theseatbelt system according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the airline seat showing the buckle sideof the seatbelt system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the tongue side of the seatbelt systemof FIG. 4, with a cover arrangement covering the retractor and beltrecess and showing the cover arrangement with the top in a closedposition;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the airline seat with seatbelt systemof FIG. 7A showing the cover arrangement with the top flipped to an openposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another airline seatbelt systemembodiment with a cover with belt guide covering the retractor and beltrecess;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 8 with thecover removed;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another airline seatbelt systemembodiment with a cover with belt guide covering the retractor and beltrecess;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 10 with thecover removed;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the vehicle seat, in the lie flat position,showing the tongue side of another airline seatbelt system embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the vehicle seat, in the lie flat position,showing the buckle side of the airline seatbelt system embodiment ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side broken away view of the seat base showing the tongueside of another airline seatbelt system embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing seatbelt retractor position belowthe seat base according to the airline seatbelt system embodiments ofFIGS. 12 and 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular, FIG. 1A shows an airline seat,generally designated 1, according to the invention. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1Cshow the airline seat 1 in the TTL, neutral and lie flat positionsrespectively. The airline seat 1 includes a backrest 2, a seat base(cushion) 3 and a leg rest (ottoman) 4. These features are provided witha seat frame 5 with trim and foam/padding 6. The parts of the frame 5are connected by frame joints of the frame 5. The relative position ofthe backrest 2, the seat base 3 and the leg rest 4 are determined andset by an adjustment frame/mechanism 7. The adjustment frame 7 isconnected to the airline floor 9 via a subframe 8. The adjustmentframe/mechanism 7 and subframe 8 include a rail (track) connectionarrangement. The airline seat includes an airline seatbeltarrangement—airline seatbelt system—generally designated 10.

The airline seat is configured to move between the extreme positions,namely the TTL position shown in FIG. 1A and the lie flat position shownin FIG. 1C. The position and path of the seatbelt 20 changes betweenthese extreme positions. FIG. 2A shows the buckle side of the seatbeltarrangement indicating the seatbelt buckle TTL angle 22. The seatbeltTTL angle 22 at the tongue side of the seatbelt arrangement isessentially the same. This TTL angle 22 represents a seatbelt and buckleangle which is optimal for the seatbelt 20 to safely restrain thepassenger with the airline seat 1 in the TTL position. The position ofthe belt 20 (extending toward the buckle 14) at the TTL angle 22 isshown in FIG. 2A. The belt 20 extends over the cushion upper surface 30toward the cushion buckle side surface 32. In FIG. 2B the angle of thebelt 20 is shown in the neutral position with a neutral position angle24. This neutral position angle 24 represents a seatbelt angle andbuckle angle which is optimal for the seatbelt 20 to safely restrain thepassenger with the airline seat 1 in the neutral position. FIG. 2C showsthe belt 20 extending over the cushion upper surface 30 toward thecushion buckle side surface 32 at the lie flat angle 26. The lie flatangle 26 represents a seatbelt/buckle angle which is optimal for theseatbelt 20 to safely restrain the passenger with the airline seat 1 inthe lie flat position. The airline seatbelt system 10 provides featuresat a belt and tongue anchor side and at a buckle anchor side toaccommodate each of the TTL angle 22, the neutral angle 24 and the lieflat angle 26.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the seatbelt system at a belt and tongue anchor side.FIG. 3 shows the tongue side surface 34 of the seat base 3 with a recess36. The recess 36 provides a space for receiving a seatbelt retractor11. The seatbelt retractor 11 is mounted on a retractor support 13 whichpivots about a pivot axis formed by support pivot/bolt (seatbeltconnection location) 15. The support pivot/bolt 15 is fixedly connectedto the seat frame 5, particularly the seat base portion of the frame 5.The retractor 11 comprises a mechanism that feeds out and retracts thebelt 20. The retractor 11 may be configured with known retractorfeatures. For example, the retractor may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,323,205 (the entire contents of U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,205 areincorporated herein by reference). The belt 20 is provided with aseatbelt tongue 12. The belt 20 and the tongue 12 may be extended to theother side of the cushion 34 for engagement with a buckle 14. Based onthe configuration of the recess 36 and based on the mounting of theretractor support 13 for pivoting at support pivot/bolt 15, theretractor support 13 may pivot along the directions of arrow 40. Therecess 36 includes an angled forward wall 37 and rear wall 39 that isessentially vertical. The walls 37 and 39 act as stops as to movement ofthe retractor 11 and the retractor support 13. This establishes theangular range of the pivot. The shape of the recess 36 is configuredsuch that the belt 20 may extend essentially straight across for the lieflat position with lie flat angle 26 or may be extended at an angle upto the TTL angle 22. The angled forward edge of the recess 36 ispreferably selected such that with the retractor 11 and the retractorsupport 13 fully forward, bearing on the forward surface 37 of therecess 36, the belt 20 extends across in the TTL position. Theconfiguration allows full angular positioning between the extreme lieflat and the TTL positions and thereby provides improved safety aspects.

The recess 36 further allows for compact arrangement in which theretractor and the tongue 12 and belt 20 are positioned inwardly of thecushion tongue side surface 34. This can further be seen in FIG. 4,wherein each portion of the retractor, 14, the retractor support 13, thebelt 20 and the tongue 12 are positioned inwardly of the cushion tongueside surface 34. The retractor 14 and the retractor support 13 mayadvantageously be disposed below the cushion upper surface 30.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the seatbelt system at a buckle anchor side or buckleside arrangement of the airline seatbelt system 10. The buckle 14 ismounted on a buckle strap 16 which is connected to the frame 5,particularly the seat base portion of the frame 5, by a buckle strappivot/bolt 17. The buckle 14 and strap 16 are disposed within a buckleguide recess 33.

The configuration of the buckle guide recess 33 is quite similar to theretractor/belt guide recess 36. The recess 33 has a forward angled wallwhich acts as a stop and presents the maximum forward pivot angle of thebuckle 14 relative to the buckle strap pivot/bolt 17. This allowsmovement in the directions 42 about the pivot 17 within the limitsprovided by the forward and rear walls of the recess 33. As shown inFIG. 5, the buckle 14 is in the lie flat position, with the buckle 14and support 16 adjacent to the rearward wall of the recess 33. Theconfiguration allows movement between this lie flat position with thelie flat angle 26 to the TTL position in which the buckle 14 and bucklestrap 16 are pivoted forward, and bear against the front stop wall ofthe recess 33. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the buckle 14 and thesupport 16 are position essentially inwardly of the cushion buckle sidesurface 32. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the buckle 14extends somewhat above the cushion upper surface 30. However, the buckle14 male also be configured with the buckle strap 16 such that the upperedge of the buckle 14 is below or even with the cushion upper surface30.

FIG. 7A shows the seat base 3 with a cover assembly 44 covering therecess 36. The cover assembly 44 is particularly used on the tongue sideof the airline seatbelt assembly 10 but could also be adapted for thebuckle side. The cover assembly 44 may be fixed to the seat base 3, suchas with a snap in features of the seat base 3 and the cover assembly 44or with fasteners, bonding or otherwise. The cover assembly 44 includesa cover flip top 46 connected to a cover base 49 by a cover hinge 48. Apull tab 50 is connected to the cover flip top 46 to allow the flip top46 to be opened, pivoting the flip top 46 in the cover opening direction51. The hinge 48 is formed as a simple material hinge. The materialhinge 48 may be a fabric, a plastic layer or leather covering an outersurface of the fliptop cover 46 and covering an outer surface of thecover base 49.

As can be seen in FIG. 7B, the cover base 49 includes an upper surfaceforming a seatbelt guide opening 35. The seatbelts guide opening 35 actsas a guide surface. The opening 35 is sized so that the tongue 12 ismaintained on the upper side of the upper surface of the cover base 49.This may be with a sizing of the belt to tongue 12 connection withdimensions relative to the dimensions of the guide opening 35 so thatthe tongue 12 stays above the upper surface of the cover base 49. Theregion between the upper surface and the cover flip top 46 is preferablysized to allow the buckle 12 to be accommodated in the space with theflip top 46 closed. The flip top cover 46 may be provided with a beltpassage allowing the belt 20 to extend out of the cover 46 with thecover 46 closed. Such a belt passage may also be sized to allow thetongue 12 to be maintained either outside the cover 46 or inside thecover 46, with the cover 46 closed. The guide surface opening or guideslot 35 (as well as any passage in the cover 46) has a length in theforward and aft direction to allow the belt 20 to be extended at the lieflat angle 26 or the TTL angle 22 or any angle in between theseextremes. Based on the angled forward wall 37 of the recess 36 and basedon the rear surface 39 of the recess 36, which act as stops, theretractor 11 hits the stops thereby preventing the belt 20 from beingbunched and preventing the belt 20 from being pinched at the forwardmost and rearward most angular positions 22 and 26.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the airline seatbelt system10. The recess 36 has a cover 53 with upper cover portion 52 and sidecover portion 54. Cover portion 52 covers the recess 36 at the cushionupper surface 30. The recess 36 is partially covered on the cushion sidesurface 34 with a side cover portion 54. The cover 53 may be fixed tothe seat base 3, such as with a snap in features of the seat base 3 andthe cover 53 or may be fixed by fasteners, bonding or otherwise. Theupper cover portion 52 includes a seatbelt guide slot 35′. The guideslot 35′ may again be sized relative to the dimensions of the tongue tobelt connection such that the tongue 12 is maintained above the uppercover portion 52. The guide slot 35′ has a length in the forward and aftdirection to allow the belt 20 to be extended at the lie flat angle 26or the TTL angle 22 or any angle in between these extremes.

FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the cover 52, 54 removed. Ascan be seen, the seatbelt retractor 11 and the retractor support 13 arepivoted forward to abut against the angled forward wall corresponding tothe TTL position. The angled forward wall of the recess 36 acts as astop with the aft wall of the recess 36 acting as another stop (anddefining the lie flat angle).

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the airline seatbelt system10. The retractor/belt guide recess 36′ is formed so as to maintain aportion of the cushion tongue side surface 34 of the cushion 3 below therecess 36′ as can be seen in FIG. 11. The retractor/belt guide recess36′ includes a lower slot allowing the retractor support 13 to passthrough the seat base 3 to the fixation point with the frame 5 at thesupport pivot/bolt 15. This configuration covers the seatbelt retractor11 and retractor support 13 more fully. The opening to the recess 36, iscovered with a cover 55. The cover 55 including an upper cover portion54 and a lower side cover portion 58 as shown in FIG. 10. The cover 55may be fixed to the seat base 3, such as with a snap in features of theseat base 3 and the cover 55 or fixed by fasteners, bonding orotherwise. The upper cover portion 54 includes a seatbelt guide slot35″. The seatbelt guide slot 35″ has a contour which includes distinctregions sized to the width of the seatbelt 20 and corresponding to theextreme angular positions of the belt 20. The forward region of theseatbelt guide slot 35″corresponds to the TTL angle 22. The aft regionof the seatbelt guide slot 35″ corresponds to the lie flat angle 26. Theretractor/belt guide recess 36′ again has an angled forward wall and arear wall, which act as stops (or in the alternative, the lower slotallowing the retractor support 13 to pass through the seat base 3 mayact as stops to the retractor support 13). The retractor 11 (or theretractor support 13) hits the stops, which prevents the belt 20 frombeing bunched and preventing the belt 20 from being pinched in theseatbelt guide slot 35″ at the forward most and rearward most angularpositions 22 and 26.

FIGS. 12 and 14 relate to embodiments in which a seatbelt retractor 11′is provided mounted underneath the seat base 3, particularly underneaththe seat frame 5. The seatbelt retractor 11′ may have features asdescribed above with reference to seatbelt retractor 11.

Each of the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 14 provide belt and tongue sidesof the seatbelt system 10. These may be used with any of the disclosedbuckle side configurations. In particular, in addition to the buckleside configurations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a buckle configuration maybe provided as shown in FIG. 13. Any of the buckle side configurationsmay be used in cooperation with any of the tongue side configurations.Further, the buckle side configurations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may bemodified to include a cover similar to that shown in FIG. 7A, 7B, 8 and10. Further, instead of providing the buckle side configuration with arigid or semirigid buckle strap 16, the buckle strap may be formed of aflexible belt structure 16′ which is pivotably anchored to the frame 5via a bolt 17. An embodiment of a buckle side configuration with aflexible belt structure 16′ is shown in FIG. 13. Further, still anotherbuckle side embodiment may be provided based on the flexible beltstructure 16′ being fixed to the frame 5 and the flexible belt structure16′ being guided with a lateral belt guide 60 as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 12 shows the tongue side of the seatbelt system 10. The seatbelt 20passes through a seatbelt guide recess 36″to pass through the seat base3 from an underside of the cushion 3 to the upper surface 30 of thecushion 3. The opening of the guide recess 36″ is preferably suitablyreinforced and may be sized relative to the tongue to belt connection soas to prevent the tongue 12 from passing into the guide recess 36″. Theguide recess 36″ is preferably lined with a suitable plastic or materialto allow the belt 22 to slide easily between a retracted position (shownin FIG. 12) and a deployed position in which the tongue 12 is engaged inthe buckle 14. The opening of the guide recess 36″ has a length in theforward and aft direction to allow the belt 20 to be extended at the lieflat angle 26 or the TTL angle 22 or any angle in between theseextremes. The seatbelt 20 preferably passes through a further guide 62that is connected to the seat frame 5. The seatbelt 20 is then fed offand wound back on the spool of the seatbelt retractor 11′ (FIG. 15).

As shown in FIG. 13, the buckle 14 may be connected to a flexible strap16′. The flexible strap 16′ is connected by the pivot bolt 17 to theseat frame 5 and passes though the seat base 3, through a buckle strapthrough passage 31. The length of the flexible buckle strap 16′ may beselected to provide a convenient and safe position for the buckle 14.The opening of the passage 31 has a length in the forward and aftdirection to allow the buckle 14 to be extended at the lie flat angle 26or the TTL angle 22 or any angle in between these extremes.

FIG. 14 shows a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 12, wherein theseatbelt 20 passes from the seatbelt retractor 11′ to a location abovethe cushion upper surface 30 by extending outwardly around the seat base3. The seatbelt retractor is supported on the underside of the seatframe 5 as shown in FIG. 15. The lateral seatbelt guide 60 is providedlaterally outwardly of the cushion side surface 34 of the seat part 3.The seatbelt guide 60 forms a belt guideway 36′″. Either the seat frame5 or a part connected to the seat frame 5 supports one or more lowerseatbelt guide 62. The lateral seatbelt guide 60 and the lower seatbeltguide 62 help transition the seatbelt 20 from extending laterally acrossthe cushion upper surface 32 to extending laterally toward the seatbeltretractor 11′.

The guide 60 may have a feature to block the passage of the tongue 12 ina direction toward the lower belt guide 62. This allows the tongue 12 tobe maintained adjacent to the cushion upper surface 30 and adjacent tothe cushion tongue side surface 34 in a nonuse state. Further theopening of lateral guide recess 60 has a length in the forward and aftdirection to allow the belt 20 to be extended at the lie flat angle 26or the TTL angle 22 or any angle in between these extremes.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1 airline seat-   2 backrest-   3 seat base (cushion)-   4 leg rest-   5 seat frame-   6 trim and foam-   7 adjustment frame/mechanism-   8 subframe-   9 airline floor-   10 airline seatbelt arrangement-   11 seatbelt retractor-   11′-   12 seatbelt tongue-   13 retractor support-   14 buckle-   15 support pivot/bolt-   16 buckle strap-   16′ buckle strap-   17 buckle strap pivot/bolt-   18-   20 seatbelt-   22 seatbelt TTL angle-   24 seatbelt neutral angle-   26 seatbelt lie flat angle-   30 cushion upper surface-   32 cushion buckle side surface-   31 buckle strap passage-   32 cushion buckle side surface-   33 buckle guide recess-   34 cushion tongue (clasp) side surface-   35 seatbelt guide opening/guide surface-   35′ seatbelt guide slot-   35″ seatbelt guide slot-   36 retractor/belt guide recess-   36′ retractor/belt guide recess-   36″ belt guide recess-   37 angled forward wall-   39 rear wall-   40 tongue/belt/retractor pivot directions-   42 buckle pivot directions-   44 tongue/belt/retractor pivot cover assembly-   46 cover flip top-   48 cover hinge-   50 pull tab-   52 upper cover portion-   53 cover-   54 side cover portion-   55 cover-   56 upper cover-   58 side cover-   60 lateral belt guide-   62 lower belt guide

What is claimed is:
 1. An airline seatbelt system comprising: an airlineseat frame; a seat base connected to the airline seat frame, the seatbase having a cushion upper surface; a seatbelt retractor with aseatbelt, the seatbelt retractor being connected to the airline seatframe at a seatbelt connection location; a seatbelt tongue connected tothe seatbelt; and a seatbelt guide connected to the seat base, theseatbelt guide providing a guideway for guiding the seatbelt andseatbelt tongue from a retracted position to a deployed position withinan angular range relative to the seatbelt connection location, wherebythe seatbelt and seatbelt tongue may be positioned in the angular rangerelative to the cushion upper surface in the deployed position.
 2. Anairline seatbelt system according to claim 1, wherein the seatbelt guidecomprises a recess formed in the seat base and extending from a seatbeltretractor location to the cushion upper surface.
 3. An airline seatbeltsystem according to claim 2, wherein the seatbelt retractor is pivotablymounted to the seat frame and is disposed in the recess formed in theseat base.
 4. An airline seatbelt system according to claim 3, whereinthe seatbelt guide further comprises a guide cover forming a portion ofthe cushion upper surface.
 5. An airline seatbelt system according toclaim 4, wherein the guide cover includes an upper cover portion forminga portion of the cushion upper surface and a side cover portion.
 6. Anairline seatbelt system according to claim 5, wherein the upper coverportion includes an elongate slot allowing the seatbelt to be moved,within the angular range, forwardly and rearwardly, relative to the seatbase, within the elongate slot.
 7. An airline seatbelt system accordingto claim 4, wherein the guide cover is comprised of a cover assemblycomprising a flip up top pivotably connected to the seat base to pivotbetween an open position providing access to the seatbelt and theseatbelt tongue and a closed position closing off access to the seatbeltand seatbelt tongue.
 8. An airline seatbelt system according to claim 7,wherein the cover assembly further comprises a cover base defining anupper surface with an elongate slot allowing the seatbelt to be moved,within the angular range, forwardly and rearwardly, relative to the seatbase, within the elongate slot and the flip up top and the upper surfaceform a space for housing the tongue.
 9. An airline seatbelt systemaccording to claim 3, wherein: the recess has an angled forward wallforming a retractor forward pivot stop and the recess has a rear wallforming a retractor rear pivot stop; the retractor forward pivot stopand the retractor rear pivot stop set the angular range; and theretractor is pivotable between the retractor forward pivot stop and theretractor rear pivot stop.
 10. An airline seatbelt system according toclaim 2, wherein: the recess extends through the seat base from belowthe seat base to the cushion upper surface; and the seatbelt retractoris located below the seat base.
 11. An airline seatbelt system accordingto claim 10, wherein: the recess has a forward wall forming a beltforward stop and the recess has a rear wall forming a belt rear stop.12. An airline seatbelt system according to claim 2, wherein theseatbelt guide comprises side seat cushion strap, whereby the seatbeltguide is provided at a lateral side of the seat base and forms a beltpassageway recess with the lateral side of the seat base and an upperedge of the seatbelt guide forms an elongate slot with a forward edgeforming a belt forward stop and a rear edge forming a belt rear stop.13. An airline seatbelt system according to claim 1, further comprising:a buckle and a buckle connecting strap connecting the buckle to theairline seat frame, wherein the buckle is pivotably mounted to the seatframe; and a buckle guide recess receiving the buckle and/or the bucklestrap.
 14. An airline seatbelt system according to claim 13, wherein thebuckle guide recess has a forward wall forming a buckle or buckleconnecting strap forward pivot stop and the buckle guide recess has arear wall forming a buckle or buckle connecting strap rear pivot stop,wherein the a buckle or buckle connecting strap is pivotable between thea buckle or buckle connecting strap forward pivot stop and the a buckleor buckle connecting strap rear pivot stop.
 15. An airline seatbeltsystem according to claim 12, further comprising a sliding strapconnected to a lateral side of the seat base, the connecting strapextending through a region between the seat base and the sliding strapwhereby the connecting strap is guided by the sliding strap for movementof the buckle, forwardly and rearwardly, relative to the seat base. 16.An airline seatbelt system according to claim 10, wherein the seat baseincludes a through recess passing through the seat base and theconnecting strap extends through the through recess from a connectionlocation with the seat frame to a buckle location above the cushionupper surface.
 17. An airline seat comprising: an airline seat frame; aseat backrest connected to the seat frame; a seat base connected to theairline seat frame, the seat base having a cushion upper surface; aseatbelt retractor with a seatbelt, the seatbelt retractor beingconnected to the airline seat frame at a seatbelt connection location; aseatbelt tongue connected to the seatbelt; and a seatbelt guideconnected to the seat base, the seatbelt guide providing a guideway forguiding the seatbelt and seatbelt tongue from a retracted position to adeployed position within an angular range relative to the seatbeltconnection location, whereby the seatbelt and seatbelt tongue may bepositioned in the angular range relative to the cushion upper surface inthe deployed position.
 18. An airline seat according to claim 17,further comprising: a buckle and a buckle connecting strap connectingthe buckle to the airline seat frame, wherein the buckle is pivotablymounted to the seat frame; and a buckle guide recess receiving thebuckle and/or the buckle strap, wherein the seatbelt guide comprises arecess formed in the seat base and extending from a seatbelt retractorlocation to the cushion upper surface.
 19. An airline seat according toclaim 18, further comprising an adjustment frame/mechanism for adjustinga position of the airline seat frame to move the seat backrest relativeto the seat base between a taxi, takeoff and landing position and a lieflat position, wherein seatbelt guide guides a position of the seatbeltbetween a seatbelt lie flat position, with the seatbelt extending fromthe seatbelt guide essentially parallel to a seat base forward edge anda seatbelt taxi, takeoff and landing position with the seatbeltextending from the seatbelt guide toward the seat base forward edge. 20.An airline seat according to claim 18, wherein: the seatbelt retractoris pivotably mounted to the seat frame and is disposed in the recessformed in the seat base; the recess has a forward wall forming aretractor forward pivot stop and the recess has a rear wall forming aretractor rear pivot stop; the retractor forward pivot stop and theretractor rear pivot stop set an angular range; the retractor ispivotable between the retractor forward pivot stop and the retractorrear pivot stop; the buckle guide recess has a forward wall forming abuckle or buckle connecting strap forward pivot stop and the buckleguide recess has a rear wall forming a buckle or buckle connecting straprear pivot stop, wherein the a buckle or buckle connecting strap ispivotable between the a buckle or buckle connecting strap forward pivotstop and the a buckle or buckle connecting strap rear pivot stop.